Biographical Overview
Abu Muhammad Harb ibn Isma'il al-Kirmani. The Imam, the master scholar (al-'allamah), Abu Muhammad Harb ibn Isma'il al-Kirmani, the jurist (al-faqih) and student of Ahmad ibn Hanbal. He traveled and sought knowledge.
He acquired knowledge from: Abu al-Walid al-Tayalisi, Abu Bakr al-Humaydi, Abu 'Ubayd, Sa'id ibn Mansur, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ishaq ibn Rahwayh.
Those who narrated from him include: al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Kirmani, a resident of Tarsus; 'Abd Allah ibn Ishaq al-Nahawandi; 'Abd Allah ibn Ya'qub al-Kirmani; Abu Hatim al-Razi, his companion; Abu Bakr al-Khallal; and others.
Al-Khallal said: 'He was a man of great stature; al-Marrudhi urged me to set out to him.'
I say: The 'Masa'il' (Questions/Issues) of Harb is among the most precious books of the Hanbalis, and it is a large work in two volumes.
'Abd al-Baqi ibn Qani' recorded the date of his death in the year 280 AH.
I say: He lived a long life, nearing ninety years of age, and I know of no fault in him—may Allah the Exalted have mercy upon him.
(Excerpted from: Siyar A'lam al-Nubala')